It’s around this time of year that the NFL combine wraps up and I look at the explosion numbers among the defensive front seven, as well as explosion and agility for edge rushers.
Explosion = Bench reps + vertical in inches + broad jump in feet. 70 and over is elite
Agility = Three-cone drill time + 20-yard short shuttle time. 11.1 and under for front seven types are elite.
Explosion – agility = a large number makes for deadly combination. For example, 70 explosion -11.0 seconds = 59. Versus say, 60 explosion – 12 seconds = 48.
Most years someone jumps off the page like J.J. Watt with an elite explosion number of 81.0, when over 70 is considered elite. Or you have Von Miller with a combined three-cone and short shuttle time of 10.61, when under 11.1 is extremely tough to beat for someone with edge rusher size.
It’s where the Ravens found Matt Judon, who had the combines best explosion score in 2016. The Division II player would prove to be a bargain in the fifth round as he’s been a good role player, getting better each year.
Just last year, Linebacker Drue Tranquill of Notre Dame posted the best combination of explosion (78.67) and agility (11.08) at the combine. He was drafted by the L.A. Chargers in round four, started the season on special teams where he blocked a punt in week 1, and again in week 9. He finished the season in the defensive mix, finishing second on the team with 75 tackles, including 14 in one game. Supreme value for a fourth-round pick who could be a starter for them at discount prices for three more years.
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In 2020 though, the NFL combine was not worth it if you were tuning in find a hidden gem for your front seven. The best explosion number from the front seven guys came from Kenny Willekes, DE from Michigan State (74.42). Willekes, 6’3”, 264 lbs, was a walk on for Sparty and one of the knocks on him is that he wouldn’t make an impact against the better competition in the Big Ten, such as Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin. Ton of heart, chip on his shoulder mentality. But projects as a practice squad guy.
The most agile one at the combine was LB Cale Garrett out of Missouri. 11.04 combined on the three-cone and short shuttle. Now, Garrett is a case of the combine probably helping him out. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein write up on Garrett mentions that he lacks “short area agility that teams typically look for in starting linebackers.” But the numbers here say otherwise. He grades out as a project type prospect. Probably a late round draft pick.
The next most agile was Malik Harrison, Ohio State, who projects as a second or third round pick.
The best combination of explosion and agility came from Willie Gay Jr, Mississippi State. (71.83, 11.38, pictured above). He looks like he’s chiseled from stone, he’s a big hitter, but plays with wasted movements and flailing arms. He projects as a late round pick, to practice squad addition. Missing eight games in his final season due to NCAA violations regarding athletic tutoring doesn’t help either. But he’s the type of prospect the Pro Football Focus is going to drool over given the metrics he sported at the combine.
Otherwise, no one stood out at the combine with their numbers. It was certainly the year more known for the big men running sub 5.0 on the 40. Some of the guy mocked early on draft boards didn’t compete at all at the combine. Chase Young, Isaiah Simmons, K’Lavon Chaisson. Would these guys explosion and agility numbers dwarf Gay’s?
For the Ravens, they have a decision to make regarding Matt Judon. I wrote about that a couple weeks back. But the latter half of the first round of the draft features some linebackers or pass rushers the Ravens could target. NFL.com’s latest mock draft released today (3/6) has Patrick Queen going to the Raiders at 19. Kenneth Murray to the Bills at 23, and Yetur Gross-Matos going to the Ravens at 28. Perhaps Queen or Murray fall, it’s not like the Ravens to trade up, but it’s an option.
Next week, I’ll take a shot at scouting Queen, Murray, and Gross-Matos.
Ravens Analyst
Mike was born on the Eastern Shore, raised in Finksburg, and currently resides in Parkville. In 2009, Mike graduated from the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland. Mike became a Baltimore City Fire Fighter in late 2010. Mike has appeared as a guest on Q1370, and FOX45. Now a Sr. Ravens Analyst for BSL, he can be reached at mike.randall@baltimoresportsandlife.com.